# NTSB ANC91LA091: Piper PA-12, N121EF, Merrill Pass, AK, July 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1991, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Merrill Pass, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220863, -149.850387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2209&lon=-149.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA091

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - turbulence
- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER A THIRD LOW APPROACH OVER AN INTENDED LANDING AREA ON A GRAVEL BAR, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING THE CLIMB.  HE TURNED DOWNWIND, AT WHICH TIME THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SPUN INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N121EF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N121EF-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 12-2447, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2447
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul F. Erickson
- Registered owner: Patricia A. Mcguire
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1990, 80 hours before
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,096 total, 750 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910706026159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910706026159A), Jul 6, 1991: Piper STCPA12, Merrill Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled on downwind climbing pullup from a gravel bar landing site.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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